Senator Bill Baroni, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding a New Jersey Supreme Court decision that invalidated local ordinances regulating where convicted sex offenders can live. Senator Baroni is from Hamilton, New Jersey.
Senators Joseph Pennacchio and Bill Baroni, who are preparing legislation to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the operations of the state pension funds, say they have read disturbing allegations of intermediaries known as “placement agents” manipulating the pension investment process in New York, New Mexico and other states for personal and political gain. The reports have come to light amid the investigation of a pension-fund pay-to-play scandal that has led to the indictment of Hank Morris, a political adviser to former New York Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi.
Legislation Would Strengthen Current Pay-to-Play Law
Senator Bill Baroni (R-Mercer, Middlesex) and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R- Monmouth, Middlesex) announced today that they are introducing legislation that would amend the current pay-to-play laws to include all federally-funded state contracts, that will stem from the recently passed stimulus package.
Panel of Senators Would Have Subpoena Power
Senators Joe Pennacchio and Bill Baroni are drafting legislation that would create a bipartisan commission to investigate the state’s handling of its depleted $59 billion pension system and come up with a plan to restore it to solvency. The Senate Resolution would create a bipartisan panel of senators with the power to issue subpoenas. That power would be used to compel testimony from government officials and investment advisers who have been reluctant or unwilling to talk openly about the state’s investment procedures or the $58 billion pension deficit and the threat it poses to taxpayers, retirees and government’s ability to pay for services.
Senator Bill Baroni (R-Mercer Middlesex) expressed his outrage on the passage of legislation that would allow local municipalities to defer a portion of their payment into state pension systems:
“Today the Senate took a destructive step to our pension funds. Over and over governors and legislators have underfunded, non-funded and bonded against our pension funds. Today the Senate adds another act to that shameful legacy.
State & Federal Investigations of the BPU Still Pending
Today, the four Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in opposition to the reappointment of Jeanne Fox as president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and objected to being rushed through the hearing and to the incomplete testimony provided by the nominee. The members cited numerous reasons for their opposition including the opening of unlawful bank accounts, conflicts of interest between consultants and staff at the Office of Clean Energy and the Clean Energy Council, and former staff members being involved in the awarding of grants totaling millions of dollars. The four Republican members of the committee are Gerald Cardinale, Joe Kyrillos, Bill Baroni and Jennifer Beck.
Communities Need the Tools to Identify Predators
Senator Bill Baroni, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding a study released today on the effectiveness of New Jersey’s Megan’s Law.
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee approved bill S1551/S1844, establishing a “Silver Alert System” for missing people who are believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments.
Senator Bill Baroni (R- Mercer, Middlesex) a prime sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:
Senator Appointed to Serve on Third Committee
Senator Bill Baroni (R-Mercer/Middlesex) has been named to the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
The Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reviews legislation on wagering issues related to the Atlantic City casinos, off-track betting, video lottery terminals, and horse racing. The Committee also considers legislative action on general tourism issues and historic preservation matters.
Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have sent a letter to Senator Paul Sarlo, the committee’s chairman, asking that he schedule at least three days of hearings on the potential reappointment of Barry Albin as a justice to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
